In a historic matchup, China’s Ding Liren is defending his world chess championship title against fast-rising Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju. The best-of-14-games match with a prize fund of $2.5 million is currently tied at 6½-6½ after 13 games. The 14th game, scheduled for today, will determine the winner. If the game ends in a draw, tiebreak games with faster time controls will be played on Friday to determine the champion.
Ding, known for his solid and precise playing style, is aiming to retain his title, while Gukesh, an aggressive player with a talent for creating complex positions, is hoping to secure the championship. The matchup marks the first time in history that two Asian players are competing for the prestigious title.
The absence of Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, has cast a shadow over the credibility of Ding’s title defense. Carlsen, who has been ranked No. 1 for over 14 years, opted not to defend his title, leading to Ding defeating Nepomniachtchi for the vacant championship. Critics have questioned the legitimacy of the event without Carlsen’s involvement.
The world championship match has a rich history dating back to the 16th century, with players like Ruy López de Segura and Bobby Fischer leaving a lasting impact on the game. The current match between Ding and Gukesh is set to be a thrilling conclusion to a historic competition, with both players vying for the coveted title of world champion.
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